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Top 10 Amazing Activities to do in Montreal this Winter
On a scale of 1-10 how much do prefer the warmer months to the cold ones? I’ll be the first to admin that winter is just not my favourite. As a person in general I am ALWAYS cold, and winter often just makes me cranky. With that being said, winter in Quebec lasts about 5 months of the year so this year I vowed to try to make the best of the winter season instead of just writing it off and staying on my couch (no shade to my couch, it’s just not good for my mental health). I’ve put together a list of fun activities to do in Montreal this winter season, and you’ll find something for everyone! Outdoor activities, food, museums, events, this city is honestly brimming with activities no matter the season, so check out the list below!
1. Spend a calming afternoon at one of Montreal’s cute cafes
Cafes will be reopening soon in Montreal (thanks for nothing c-dawg) so we’ll be able to enjoy our cafe time again without having to grab it to go! I’m taking this as a win. Some of my favourite Montreal cafes are Le Petit Dep (pictured above) at 461 St Sulpice St in Old Montreal and Tommy located on Rue Notre Dame, also in Old Montreal. Both of these cafes are absolutely adorable and have such a good selection of coffee drinks and tasty treats. I know I’ll be spending some time in Cafes this season to make up for them being closed for months!
2. Spend an afternoon skating outdoors at one of Montreal’s skating rinks
Though Montreal is a metropolis city, it has its fair share of open natural spaces and they’ve really optimized them to offer some outdoor winter activities. If you’re into skating, here’s where you can find some outdoor rinks in the city:
- Le Grand Roue in the Old Port: Though the ferris wheel is closed for rides at the moment, the city has built a skating rink behind it where you can pay a small fee to have a skate in one of the prettiest areas of the city. You can find all of the ticket and rental details on the Old Port Skating Rink website.
- Parc Jean Drapeau: Parc Jean Drapeau has really outdone itself in the winter activity department. Not only do they have a maintained natural ice rink in the park, they’ve created a 500m refrigerated skating trail within the park. The park itself has many other Winter activities, so it’s not hard to get your winter activity fix here! Check out their many activities here!
- Mount Royal: A winter activity guide wouldn’t be complete without mentioning our top park’s activities this year! Mount Royal has once again put together a skating rink on Beaver Lake within the park, and they also offer activities like tubing, cross country skiing and snowshoeing. You can check all of that out on their website here!
3. Experience some art and learn some history at one of Montreal’s museums
If you’re more into indoor activities in the winter (I don’t blame you), Montreal has a ton of indoor activities that will keep you entertained and warm. Head to the Fine Arts Museum of Montreal or the Contemporary Art Museum for a day rich in art, history, and quiet reflection. If you’re more into history than art, the McCord Museum in the downtown area is a great fit for you!
See also: 11 Carry-On Essentials You Won’t Want to Forget to Pack
4. Visit Montreal’s Biodome and Planetarium
Speaking of indoor activities, the city’s Biodome and Planetarium are re-opening February 1st!! They’ve been closed for a long time for renovations (also likely delayed from c-dawg), and they’re finally reopening! If you’re looking for a family friendly activity to do indoors this winter, check them out! You can absolutely go to either of these places alone or with friends as they are suitable for all ages. I have to say that I am partial to the Biodome! The Biodome boasts five indoor ecosystems that mirror that of the natural world’s, with live animals and marine life, it’s really something to see! Find visitor information for both on the Espace pour la Vie website.
5. Take a Montreal city tour that fits your taste: food tours, tea tours, or local walking history tours!
Whether you want to sample the city’s local eats, artisan teas or learn about the city’s history, there’s a tour for you. Here are some examples:
Food tours: Craft beer tours, Mile End food tours, a mix of both? You can find a food tour on the Local Montreal Tours website, as well as on Get Your Guide.
Tea Tours: If you’re an avid tea drinker and love to learn about and taste new teas, you’ll love the Afternoon Tea Tour hosted by Round Table Food Tours. It is a bit of a pricier tour, but it lasts 5 hours and takes you through the Quartier Latin, Chinatown and The Plateau-Mont-Royal so you get a fairly expanded experience!
History Tours: Montreal has many local walking and/or bus tours with experienced guides to teach you about the city’s history. Even if you’re a local Montrealer, these tours are still super valuable! They’re also mostly quite affordable, so you can spend an afternoon learning about your city! You can find these tours on Get Your Guide.
Check out some of the top walking tours below from Get Your Guide!
6. Do some shopping at Marche Bonsecours in the Old Port
Right in the heart of Old Montreal is an indoor market with a bunch of local artisan products. Inside the market you’ll find local art, a shop that sells maple products (drool) and lots of other local merchants. I’d also recommend taking a moment to gaze at the outside of the building. It’s beautiful and oh-so classic historic Montreal. Hint: there are also some local businesses in the basement of the market, accessible from the outside (pictured above)!
7. Get lost in the small streets of Old Montreal
So it’s no secret that Old Montreal is my favourite area of the city. I swear it’s for good reason! Walking through all of the small streets and experiencing the true Old Montreal is always a great activity. This is especially true in the winter (just make sure you bundle up). Take a stroll along the promenade by the water, explore the streets beyond Rue St-Paul (where most businesses are located), or head down to the Clock Tower Beach if you’re looking for a longer stroll and a beautiful photo-op! There’s so much to see in literally every corner of this area, so I highly recommend it.
8. Sample some maple goods at the mini Cabane-A-Sucre in the Old Port
While you’re enjoying Old Montreal, why not stop at the mini Cabane-A-Sucre in Place Jacques Cartier?! They have local maple products, and you can get “La tire” fresh, which is a maple taffy on snow (yes, real snow). It’s one of Quebec’s delicacies and definitely something to treat yourself to!
9. Experience “Montreal en Lumiere” at Place Des Arts
From the 17th to the 27th of February 2022, Montreal’s Place Des Arts will play host to the “Montreal en Lumiere” festival. There are musical performances, art exhibits, and exclusive tours and experiences to be had at this festival, so make sure you add it to your calendar this year! Check out what’s expected for the festival on their website.
10. Take part in the city’s annual “Nuit Blanche” for activities and experiences all night long!
I left this one for last because I have such a soft spot for this festival. This year it’ll be held on February 26th, so it will coincide with the last weekend of “Montreal en Lumiere”. Nuit Blanche is a Montreal tradition. The entire city takes part in organized activities, food, outdoor entertainment, outdoor exhibits and so much more! To start, I’d highly recommend picking one or two activities/areas to experience. The festival takes place at literally all ends of the city and runs until the following morning, so sticking to one or two areas with your favourite activities will help ease any overwhelm (I learned this the hard way). It’s truly a not-to-be-missed experience in Montreal!